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Our little bundle of Gills joy

Before Jackson MacLorg was even born, there was never any doubt which team he would support.

His mum and dad met in the stands at Priestfield, got engaged in the centre circle and then held their wedding celebrations at the ground.

And now Jackson has become a Gillingham fan – even though he is only a few days old.

Little Jackson in his Gills kit
Little Jackson in his Gills kit

He was born at 4.04am on Thursday, February 4, weighing 7lb 7oz. Just two days later, dressed in a miniature kit, he experienced his first Gillingham game as dad Daniel listened to the Swindon match on the radio at Medway Maritime Hospital.

Jackson wore the kit again when he and mum Danielle were discharged the following day.

Daniel, 37, said: “The Gills kit was the first thing we bought for Jackson. Him being a Gillingham fan is non-negotiable.”

The couple’s families are lifelong Gillingham fans – Dan’s dad Chris, Danielle’s mum Allison and her uncle Sean attend every home game.

Danielle and Daniel held their wedding reception at the ground
Danielle and Daniel held their wedding reception at the ground

They met in 2013 when their season ticket seats were almost next to each other. But it was Daniel’s football-mad son Lennon, sitting between them, who brought the pair together, when he asked Danielle if she wanted to go to an away game with them.

Their first away match together was against Wimbledon, when Gillingham won 1-0. Daniel proposed on March 22, 2014, on Priestfield’s centre spot after a game against Crewe.

The couple were married in Las Vegas and had a blessing and reception at Priestfield Stadium. Daniel said organising the day had become stressful after catering firm Centerplate pulled out of its contract at the ground but said: “Chairman Paul Scally personally made sure our wedding day was perfect.”

The family have continued to hold season tickets and travel to most away games.

Daniel, who has been supporting the side since 1984, said: “I’m not sure when we will take Jackson to his first game. Lennon first went to a match when he was four – he loves football.”

Jackson’s full name is Jackson Danny Peter MacLorg but any similarity to Gills players or managers past and present is entirely coincidental.

The newborn has already been welcomed into the Gills family. His birth announcement appeared in the matchday programme for the Barnsley game, with a congratulations message from the club.

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